Composition of almond oil and its medicinal properties
Almond oil is a product that is obtained by pressing the fruits of bitter and sweet almonds.
The production process consists of drying, grinding and then squeezing by double cold pressing. All technology is aimed at preserving the greatest number of useful components of a natural product. As a medicinal and cosmetic product, it was already known thousands of years ago; it was used in Ancient Egypt and the Roman Empire. And Cleopatra, unsurpassed in matters of beauty, called almond oil “skin oil.” Almond tree oil is a clear, golden-yellow liquid with a slightly sweet odor and nutty flavor.
Its benefits are determined by its unique chemical composition. It is very rare to find such a quantity of beneficial natural compounds in food products. Almond oil is enriched with vitamins, trace elements and minerals.
Its chemical composition includes:
- Monounsaturated amino acids – oleic, hydrocyanic, myristic
- Polyunsaturated amino acids – linoleic, palmitic
- Protein substances
- Carotenes
- Sugars - disaccharides, glucose
- Carbohydrates - starch, dietary fiber
- Fats
- Phytosterol, tocosterol
- B vitamins - folacin, niacin, thiamine, pyridoxine, riboflavin, pantothenic acid
- Vitamins A, C, E, F, PP
- Minerals - magnesium, phosphorus, potassium, sodium, calcium, iron, zinc, manganese, selenium
Due to its rich composition, the product is widely used in medicine and pharmaceuticals; it is used as a solvent in the manufacture of solutions for injection of certain medications, and this oil is also the basic basis of various medicinal and cosmetic emulsions, creams and ointments.
In folk medicine and cosmetology, almond oil is most widely used precisely for its actions that have a positive effect on the condition of the skin and hair.
This oily liquid has a powerful rejuvenating and nourishing effect, so it is used in the fight against stretch marks and wrinkles, to strengthen and nourish hair, and for massages, including anti-cellulite ones.
Benefits of Almond Oil
Often expectant mothers ask themselves the question: does almond oil help with stretch marks? In fact, there is no doubt about the beneficial properties of the product. The chemical composition of almond oil contains many substances that help prevent stretch marks and minimize their visual manifestations.
The product contains B vitamins, beta-carotene, amino acids, proteins, valuable fats, carbohydrates, minerals, as well as vitamins E, A, F. Thanks to this composition, almond oil does not harm the mother and unborn child. Due to the environmental friendliness of the product, its use does not cause allergic reactions. The exception is individual intolerance, which happens in very rare cases.
Almond oil prevents stretch marks in the following ways:
- It has a nourishing effect on the skin, saturating it with essential microelements and vitamins. Fatty acids stimulate the process of collagen production, which promotes the healing of microcracks in the subcutaneous tissue.
- It starts the process of regeneration of the epidermis, due to which effective healing and rejuvenation of the skin is noted.
- Intensively stimulates lymphatic drainage and blood flow.
- Timely eliminates stagnant processes, increases the elasticity and firmness of the skin. Actively moisturizes, cleanses and softens the skin, and also restores water-fat balance.
The benefits of almond oil allow it to be used for other purposes. Since the product quickly penetrates into the subcutaneous layer due to its soft structure, it is often used not only to eliminate stretch marks. Often during pregnancy, almond oil is used to heal skin lesions on the heels, as well as sores on the nipples. In addition, almond oil is indicated for the prevention of varicose veins in pregnant women.
The use of oil has helped many women in the fight against stretch marks.
The chemical composition with a high content of vitamins is not the only factor in the effectiveness of using the product. Applying almond olein to the skin also brings invaluable benefits. This is due to manual action, which accelerates metabolic processes at the cellular level and increases blood circulation. As a result of this, the risk of stretch marks is reduced several times. Despite the safety of the product and the absence of side effects, you should consult a doctor before using it, since in rare cases there is increased sensitivity to the product, which can lead to redness and itching.
What are stretch marks and how does almond oil help fight them?
“Striae” - this is the scientific name for stretch marks or pathological scars and stripes on the skin; they appear as a result of intensive growth, weight gain or, on the contrary, a sharp decrease in body weight, as well as in certain diseases. And this is nothing more than cracked skin tissue, and the place of rupture is a scar. They can appear on the chest, stomach, buttocks, legs and even on the face.
Here's what can trigger the appearance of stretch marks: rapid growth in adolescence, sudden changes in body weight, poor nutrition and drinking disorders, heredity.
But the largest percentage of these reasons occurs during the period of waiting and birth of the baby.
On a rapidly expanding belly, dermal cells do not have time to stretch, and as a result, microcracks appear. And after childbirth, there is a sharp loss of weight in this area, the blood supply to the skin of the abdomen decreases, elasticity is lost, the dermis does not have time to respond to the rapid loss of volume, it sags, turns into creases and folds.
Almond oil has long and firmly established itself as a proven and reliable remedy in the fight against stretch marks. Almond extract stimulates the activation of cell regeneration, as well as elastin and collagen.
For stretch marks, the action of almond tree oil is aimed at:
- Launching regenerative processes in the skin
- Promoting the synthesis of collagen and hyaluronic acid
- Stimulating blood flow
- Increased elasticity and firmness
- Deep nutrition of the skin
- Enrichment of the skin with microelements and vitamins
- Skin hydration and restoration
In addition, oily almond liquid has an excellent penetrating effect; it is one of the lightest in consistency, so it is perfectly absorbed into the skin.
All these listed characteristics make the option of using almond oil against stretch marks one of the most productive.
Mint oil for stretch marks: causes of stretch marks
- Pregnancy, lactation (after all, they provoke fluctuations in weight, an increase in body volume).
- Hormonal imbalance (in particular, an excess of certain hormones: cortisol, progesterone, which causes the breakdown of proteins in cells, a decrease in skin density, and metabolic disorders).
Of course, not all women develop stretch marks after childbirth or breastfeeding. Heredity plays a major role in their appearance, that is, the tendency to deform connective tissue proteins - collagen and elastin. They are responsible for the tone and smoothness of the skin.
Cosmetics, as the only component of restorative therapy, cannot completely eliminate stretch marks. But they have a very high level of effectiveness in combination with mesotherapy (in particular, collagen injections into problem areas) and peelings. A fractional laser is also used, which damages deformed tissue with a stream of light and starts the regeneration process. This way the normal structure of the skin is restored. It is better to start fighting stretch marks when they are still red; after they turn white, it is much more difficult to get rid of them.
Using almond oil against stretch marks
The advantage of almond oil in the fight against stretch marks is undeniable. This product can be used as a stand-alone product or in combination with other essential oils.
To treat and prevent micro-tears in the skin, the oil is used both in its pure form and in masks, compresses, and wraps.
The main way to use this product is to treat your skin regularly. This is done using a cotton swab dipped in almond oil. Or a small amount of oil is applied to the palms and a light massage is performed on problem areas.
To get rid of stretch marks, you need to regularly, preferably 2 times a day (morning and evening), apply oil to your body. You should first rinse the areas to be treated and apply the products to slightly damp skin. There is no need to rinse, just wipe with a napkin.
Other popular remedies for stretch marks
If you have stretch marks on your body, simply pour 100 grams of ground coffee beans with 250 ml of boiling water. The resulting mixture is infused for 15 minutes. After the specified time, you need to add 5 drops of lemon essential oil to the product. The cosmetic mixture is applied to previously cleansed skin with smooth movements.
Ginger helps improve blood supply to problem areas. The medicinal plant increases skin elasticity.
A cosmetic mixture that helps get rid of stretch marks during pregnancy consists of the following components:
- Ginger,
- nutmeg,
- Coarse salts.
All of these products are mixed in equal proportions. Pour a small amount of warm water into the resulting mixture. The finished product has the consistency of thick sour cream. The anti-stretch mark scrub is applied to the problem area in a circular motion. Duration of exposure is 20 minutes.
Be sure to read: Hand massage technique for weight loss
You can simply combine coffee and coarse salt in a ratio of 4: 1. Then you need to add a tablespoon of cream with a moisturizing effect.
The resulting thick paste is applied to the previously steamed body. After 15 minutes, wash off the cosmetic mixture with sufficient water.
If there are stretch marks while waiting for the baby, mumiyo also helps. To prepare a homemade cream based on healing mountain resin, you need the following ingredients:
- 10 tablets mummy,
- 100 grams of cream (for children or anti-cellulite),
- 2 drops of juniper aroma oil,
- 30 ml of clean boiled water.
The preparation process is quite simple:
- Shilajit tablets need to be crushed carefully,
- The resulting mass is poured with boiled water,
- After the powder has completely dissolved, you need to add the appropriate amount of cream,
- Juniper aroma oil is added to the product,
- The resulting mass is thoroughly mixed and placed in a cool place for two hours.
The shelf life of homemade cream with mumiyo does not exceed five days. It is recommended to apply it to the skin after taking a bath using smooth circular movements. The cosmetic composition should be left on the skin for 30 minutes. You need to wait until the cream is completely absorbed: it can leave greasy stains on clothes. It is recommended to apply the product to problem areas twice a day. The duration of use of the product is determined individually.
Recipes
For preventive purposes, in order to prevent the appearance of stretch marks as much as possible, you can use the following recipes:
With lavender
- Almond oil – 10 spoons
- Lavender oil – 5-6 drops
Mix and regularly rub on the body in areas where stretch marks appear.
With tangerine
The proportion is the same as in the previous recipe, only instead of lavender oil, take a few drops of tangerine essential oil.
With wheat germ oil
Take equal quantities of almond oil and wheat germ oil, mix, rub, slightly warm up.
Wheat germ oil is rich in beneficial properties and can resist the appearance of stretch marks as a stand-alone product, but it has a thick viscous structure, so the absorption time into the skin is significantly increased. Almond oil dilutes it and at the same time enriches it, resulting in a very effective preparation.
If stretch marks have already appeared, then you can make them less visible and reduce their number using these means.
With neroli oil
- Almond oil – 100 ml
- Neroli oil – 5-6 drops
Wipe problem areas with the mixture, slightly heating the solution.
With rosemary
- Almond oil – 1 spoon
- Rosemary essential oil – 8 drops
Rub daily for at least a month
Lotion “Carrot”
Take one carrot, chop it with a fine grater and pour a glass of cold boiled water over the floor. After waiting 15 minutes for the mixture to infuse, squeeze it through cheesecloth. Add 100 ml of almond oil to the resulting juice.
Store in the refrigerator in a closed jar.
Massage product “Super oil”
- Almond oil – 1 spoon
- Wheat germ oil – 3 drops
- Jojoba oil – 3 drops
- Petitgrain oil (from young orange shoots) – 3 drops
Daily light massage procedures with this mixture can be used both for prevention and for getting rid of stretch marks.
Almonds with milk
- Almond oil – 100 ml
- Neroli oil or other essential oil (rosemary, tangerine, lavender) – a few drops
- Body milk – 1 bottle
Apply the mixture in the evenings, rubbing until completely absorbed.
Course – 1 month. If the stretch marks are old, pronounced and deep, the course must be repeated.
Scrub
- Almond oil – 0.5 cups
- Sugar – 0.5 cups
- Salt – 0.5 cups
Mix everything, massage the mixture into the body with light movements while taking a shower.
Instructions for use. Methods of application in cosmetology
As a laxative, take 1-2 tablespoons per day.
The beneficial properties of almonds are often used to enrich cosmetic preparations for the body and hair. For dry skin and hair, MM is added in a ratio of 7 ml per 100 ml of cream, gel, lotion or shampoo, for normal skin and hair - 5 ml, for oily skin - 3 ml.
Add 15 to 20 ml of product per 100 ml of cream/lotion to tanning cosmetics.
The beneficial properties of MM allow it to be used for burns. For this purpose, the product is used in its pure form or:
- with wheat germ oil (1:1);
- with the addition of essential oils of lemon, geranium (or juniper), rose, grapefruit, cajuput (2-3 drops per tablespoon of base).
Burnt skin is treated with the mixture several times a day.
For sprained ligaments, applications with MM are indicated. Wipes soaked in the product are applied to areas of pain projection 1 or 2 times a day for 25 minutes.
Using almond oil for the face
To nourish the skin, a few drops of MM are applied to the fingertips and gently rubbed into the skin. To remove makeup from eyelashes and eyes, moisten a cotton swab in warm water, wring it out lightly, apply a couple of drops of MM on it and carefully - without stretching the skin - blot the eyelids and eyelashes with it until completely cleansed.
Almond oil for the face is often used instead of a cleanser. Before washing your face, rub 10-15 drops of the product with egg yolk. Then the resulting mixture is applied to the skin and washed off with water after 15 minutes.
To prepare a toning mask, you need to hang 2-3 tbsp with hot water. spoons of oatmeal until you obtain a mass resembling the consistency of sour cream, and add 5-10 ml of MM and a couple of drops of essential oils of sandalwood, rose, lemon or 1-2 drops of patchouli, sandalwood, rosewood and orange oils.
Hot mask with MM: moisten a cotton napkin in hot water and wring it out, then apply 25 ml of MM on it and apply the napkin to the skin of the face and neck, cover with a towel on top. Remove the mask after 20-30 minutes.
To keep the skin firm and elastic, the procedure should be repeated 1-2 times a month. The mask is especially useful for age-related skin changes, since it allows you to reduce the negative consequences of using artificial cosmetics.
To treat herpetic rashes, cosmetic MM is mixed in equal proportions with chamomile oil (or tea tree, or lavender or ylang-ylang). The areas of skin affected by the rash should be treated up to 5 times a day.
Using Almond Oil for Hair
For oily hair, MM is applied in its pure form: a few drops are rubbed into the skin (in the direction of growth, starting from the roots) before washing your hair. For dry hair, the procedure is carried out after washing your hair: you need to rub MM into warm, damp hair.
To obtain a stronger effect, almond hair oil can be used in a mixture with jojoba oil and essential oils.
For hair growth, almond oil is mixed with 3-4 essential oils, after which the resulting mixture is rubbed into the hair roots and washed off after 15-60 minutes. The mask is suitable for any hair type. With regular use, it not only promotes faster hair growth, but also vitaminizes hair, gives it shine and volume.
Using almond oil for eyelashes
MM is used for eyelash growth, as well as to give them thickness and shine. The effect is achieved by the action of unsaturated fatty acids ( vitamin F ) contained in the product, which stimulate blood flow to the hair follicles and thereby stimulate hair growth.
In addition, MM allows you to strengthen eyelashes, restore damaged areas of hair and reduce hair loss.
Vitamin E stimulates cell regeneration, nourishes and moisturizes hair, increases its elasticity, vitamin A prevents keratinization of hair follicles.
Using MM is not difficult: you just need to apply it to the eyelashes with a brush (so that the product does not get into your eyes). You can also add a small amount to your mascara.
Eyelid massage with MM also has a beneficial effect on eyelashes. This procedure strengthens the roots of the eyelashes, nourishes the skin, stimulates microcirculation and relieves eye fatigue.
If MM is used to remove eye makeup, it does not need to be washed off, since, when absorbed into the skin, it does not leave an oily sheen.
Almond oil for nails
For nails, MM is used in combination with lemon and ylang-ylang essential oils. The mixture is applied to the periungual skin and directly to the nail plates daily. When used regularly, such procedures help reduce nail fragility.
Almond oil for stretch marks
MM for stretch marks is used as a base, additionally enriching it with essential oils of mandarin, lavender and neroli (1-2 drops per 100 ml of base). In order for the massage mixture to be better absorbed into the skin, it should be warmed to body temperature.
When performing a massage, the stomach must be massaged clockwise, the buttocks - from the hips to the waist, the waist and legs - in the direction from bottom to top.
To get rid of existing scars and prevent the appearance of new ones during pregnancy or in the process of losing weight, it is also very useful to use milk from MM and carrot juice.
To prepare the product, finely grate 1 medium-sized carrot, then add a little boiled water to it (so that it covers the carrot chips) and leave the mixture for 10 minutes.
The pulp is squeezed out and combined with MM to obtain a mass that resembles a liquid cream in consistency. The finished milk is applied to the places where stretch marks appear every evening. The product should be stored in a closed jar and only in the refrigerator.
Also, for stretch marks, you can use MM (100 or 150 (if the skin is very dry) ml), rosemary or petitgrain oil (10 ml) and body milk suitable for your skin type (1 bottle).
Apply a mixture of 1 teaspoon of base and 10 drops of rosemary/petitgrain oil to problem areas daily. MM should be used as a base on one day, and body milk on another (in the future, the products are alternated according to the same principle). The product is rubbed into the skin until completely absorbed.
Treatment is continued for 4 weeks, supplemented with ascorbic acid , vitamin A , amino acids, zinc and magnesium. If the scars are old, the course can be repeated.
If stretch marks have formed as a result of rapid weight loss, to obtain good results, MM is used in a mixture with lavender oil, grape (or lemon) juice, and an oil solution of vitamin E.
Application for cellulite
Good anti-cellulite mixtures are obtained by mixing MM (1 teaspoon) with any of the following combinations of essential oils:
- fennel, cypress, rosemary - 2 drops each;
- lemon, geranium, rosemary - 2 drops each;
- juniper and lemon - 5 drops each;
- bergamot and grapefruit - 10 drops each, geranium - 8, nutmeg - 5, cinnamon - 3 drops.
cellulite oils to fully demonstrate their properties, they must be mixed correctly. For mixing, glass containers are used, into which the ingredients are added, starting with the smallest quantities.
That is, if there are 3 drops of cinnamon oil, and 10 drops of grapefruit oil, then first you should drop cinnamon oil to the bottom. Next - in ascending order: geranium, nutmeg, grapefruit and bergamot.
After all the essential oils have been mixed, add the amount of base recommended by the recipe.
Application for massage
As a massage oil, the product is used both in pure form and in combination with essential oils (for 10 grams of MM you should take 3-6 drops of the selected essential oil). The product is ideal for baby massage.
For dry skin, add 1 tbsp. A spoonful of MM (or its mixture - in a 1:1 ratio - with wheat germ, avocado or jojoba oil) add a couple of drops of essential oils of lime, rose, neroli and sandalwood.
For oily skin, add a similar amount of grapefruit, ylang-ylang and bergamot essential oils.
Before use, the product is heated to a temperature of 37-38°C. To improve skin tone and smooth out wrinkles, use it to massage the neck and face for 1-2 minutes.
Enriched with essential oils of patchouli, fennel, mandarin, orange, grapefruit, juniper, rosemary, sandalwood (take 1-2 drops per 1 tablespoon), MM can be used for deep massage for cellulite .
Use as a tanning product
Thanks to its ability to relieve inflammation and accelerate tissue healing, MM effectively eliminates the effects of exposure to sunlight, toning and soothing the skin after sunbathing. In addition, MM-based cosmetics restore the natural balance of the skin after sea water, and also eliminate flaking and dryness.
Before applying to the skin, MM is warmed to body temperature. Re-application of the product is possible no earlier than 2-3 hours later.
If MM is used for tanning, it must be applied to the skin taking into account the absorption time: without having time to be absorbed, the product can cause burns. You should also not apply it too much.
MM is often used as a basis for preparing mixtures of essential oils: 2 parts - MM, 1 part - sesame, 1/10 of the total volume - shea, a few drops - ylang-ylang; shea and almond - 40% each, jojoba - 20%, essential lavender - 5 drops.
Using almond oil during pregnancy
During pregnancy, a woman's skin is stretched, so the likelihood of stretch marks is very high. You should start using preventive measures against stretch marks at the earliest stages, before the stomach has yet begun to enlarge.
But not all common traditional medicine recipes are suitable during this period. Use different oils for supplementation with extreme caution.
The most popular and safe oils for combating stretch marks in expectant mothers are extracts from orange, neroli, and lavender. At the same time, they have a calming effect.
Recipe 1
- Almond oil – 40 ml
- Lavender oil – 2 drops
- Orange oil – 2 drops
- Geranium oil – 2 drops
Mix and rub the product into the abdomen and chest area every day after warming it up.
Recipe 2
- Almond oil – 2 tablespoons
- Jojoba oil – 1 spoon
- Orange oil – 2 drops
This remedy is very effective for stretch marks on the breasts; from the second trimester of pregnancy, you should massage your breasts every day using this oil composition.
How to properly use almond oil during pregnancy for stretch marks
Many women of different ages are familiar with the problem of stretch marks, not by hearsay. Typically, the appearance of unaesthetic stripes that resemble scars on the skin is associated with a sudden change in body weight, hormonal changes, and a hereditary factor. But most often, stretch marks, or stretch marks as they are also called, appear during pregnancy on the abdomen, hips, and chest. During fetal development, the uterus presses on the abdominal wall, which leads to microscopic tears in the subcutaneous layer.
Tissue microtrauma can be prevented, and the use of almond oil for stretch marks during pregnancy will help with this, since the components of this product help effectively moisturize the skin, which significantly reduces the risk of microcracks and peeling. Many types of vegetable oils are used for cosmetic purposes to saturate the skin with vitamins, which gives it elasticity and firmness. Almond oil is one of the most effective types of oils that prevent the development of stretch marks. Today, a lot of cosmetics are produced based on this product.
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Additional procedures
Baths
You can add a mixture of oils to warm water, this will help you relax and ensure the fastest penetration of the product into the heated skin. To ensure that the oils do not accumulate only on the surface, but are distributed throughout the water column, you need to mix them with small amounts of bath foam (50 ml).
- Almond oil – 1 spoon
- Wheat germ oil – 1 spoon
- Neroli oil – a few drops
Mix, pour into a separate bottle, add a few drops of the product to the bath.
Use 1-2 times a week, no longer than 20 minutes.
Wraps
Almond oil and essential oils for stretch marks can be added to any type of wrap (chocolate, mud, etc.). You can also use the oil directly.
To do this, prepare the mixture:
- Laminaria oil – 20 ml
- Fucus oil – 10 ml
- 2 drops each of patchouli, clove and mint essential oils
Compresses
The use of compresses is especially important for the use of local areas where stretch marks have appeared
Mix:
- 2 tablespoons almond oil
- 2 drops each of petitgrain, lavender and geranium essential oils.
Add a mixture of oils to 200 ml of warm water, mix well, moisten a napkin (made of cloth, gauze) in this solution and apply to the problem area. Keep for half an hour, repeat the procedure 3 times a week.
Almond oil for body
Almond oil can replace skin cream, because it is very light, non-greasy and quickly absorbed. Contains zinc which helps relieve dry, chapped skin while healing it.
Almond oil nourishes and moisturizes the skin, helping it look well-groomed and young. If you regularly lubricate the rough skin of your heels with oil, this will make it softer and prevent the formation of new rough skin. Almond oil added to the cream can be used not only at home, it is convenient to take it to work or travel. Just a few drops will greatly improve your cosmetic product.
Contraindications
Almond oil itself does not have any negative effects on the human body, except for individual intolerance and an allergic reaction to the product.
But it’s better to protect yourself from unpleasant consequences and conduct a test. Apply a small amount of almond oil (or a mixture of oils) to the skin of the wrist or elbow, and observe the body’s reaction throughout the day. If no irritation has appeared within 24 hours, the product can be used.
But it is very important to remember: you should not use almond oil to combat stretch marks on the breasts of breastfeeding women! Since oil particles can enter the child’s body, and this is unsafe for the baby’s unformed digestive system.
Pregnant women should also avoid recipes containing certain essential oils, which can cause uterine contractions and bleeding. These are oils: cedar, ginger, nutmeg, rose, juniper, thyme.
Almond oil is an excellent natural remedy for fighting stretch marks. It can be used by almost all representatives of the fairer sex who suffer from this problem. But it should be remembered that the success of treatment depends not only on the drug used, but also on the number of stretch marks, their intensity, and, of course, on the patience and perseverance of the woman.
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